A Thumbnail Sketch of The Moore Park Residents’ Association (MPRA)

The Moore Park Residents’ Association is the ratepayers/neighbourhood association charged with “identifying, advocating and acting on neighbourhood concerns in order to enhance Moore Park.” A non-profit, volunteer-powered organization, the MPRA has been in existence for decades, addressing and leading issues that range from trees to traffic, from development to safety.

The MPRA communicates with the community via three newsletters each year and via this website. Its Annual General Meeting takes place in the neighbourhood and is a forum for information and discussion. Engaged with Moore Park’s political representatives and municipal, provincial and federal staff, the MPRA is a conduit for two-way communication between the community and such parties.

The MPRA is a member of The Federation of North Toronto Residents’ Associations (FONTRA) and takes stands on issues that directly affect the quality of life in Moore Park and in Toronto as a whole. It does not arbitrate in disputes between neighbours, per se, but may try to facilitate areas of disagreement by highlighting resources and process for neighbours with differing views. The Association is non-partisan and is not affiliated with any political party.

There is a role for members of the community both on the board and in the work done by various committees that report to the board.

 
General Accountabilities of The Board

Members of the MPRA Board of Directors must support the mission of the MPRA, which lies in “identifying, advocating and acting on neighbourhood concerns in order to enhance Moore Park.” More technically, Members of the MPRA Board are to serve the community of Moore Park and the Board per guidelines set out in the Association’s By-Laws. For example, directors must be resident in Moore Park, must not be un-discharged bankrupts and must not have criminal records.

In principle, the Board is structured to have representatives from all four geographic quadrants of Moore Park. Board recruitment policy also aims to match individual skill sets with the needs of the Board’s various portfolios.

The Board usually meets monthly, with the exception of July and August, in addition to the Annual General Meeting. Between meetings, which take place in the homes of MPRA Directors, business is conducted via e-mail and telephone.
 

Expectations of MPRA Board Members

* To attend a majority of board meetings * To reply promptly to e-mail business * To maintain good standing as a member of the Association (by paying annual dues, currently of $25) * To help recruit new members to the Association * To act as liaison between Moore Park residents and the Board * To, as possible, help deliver newsletters and other communications to neighbours * To take either a leadership or supporting role with at least one of the Board’s portfolios or projects, including: Trees, Pests and Pesticides, Zoning and Planning, Newsletter production, Web Site development and maintenance, Traffic, Membership and Moorevale Park
 

Governance

Each Director is appointed for a term of two years, with half the board retiring (notionally) in alternating years. In practice, many Directors serve multiple terms.

The board consists of 20 Directors and is chaired by a President. Other executive members include a Vice-President, Past-President and Treasurer. It has been usual practice for the President to serve one two-year term.
 

Qualifications of Board Members

Most portfolios do not require defined technical expertise. Ideally, the Board roster will include at least one CA, lawyer and city planner. The greatest qualification consists of a passion for the neighbourhood that goes beyond self-interest and issue-specific motives, combined with a willingness to contribute, in a meaningful way, to the work of the MPRA.

Copyright © 2005/2006 Moore Park Residents' Association